CA right in feeling bitter over Howard's rejection: Mani

Former ICC President Ehsan Mani says Cricket Australia has every reason to feel bitter about John Howard's rejection for the post of ICC vice-President.

Written by Press Trust of India

Read Time: 2 mins

Karachi:

Former ICC President Ehsan Mani says Cricket Australia has every reason to feel bitter about John Howard's rejection for the post of ICC vice-President as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh made unexpected u-turns after assuring support.

Mani, who served as ICC President between 2003 and 2006, said to his knowledge Cricket Australia were not wrong to feel let down by the Asian bloc -- India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

"As far as I, know Pakistan and Bangladesh had till last week assured Cricket Australia, they would support the nomination of John Howard," Mani said.

Howard, a former Prime Minister, suffered a major embarrassment when six countries including the Asian bloc rejected his nomination put forward by Australia and New Zealand.

Cricket Australia has reacted bitterly to rejection insisting they were deeply disappointed and frustrated at the stance of the Asian bloc.

Mani said Cricket Australia were under the impression that they would be supported by India because of the good relations the two boards have enjoyed in recent times.

"Australia, I think, saw India as a strong ally while they also had assurances from Pakistan and Bangladesh so they were confident of getting Howard's nomination accepted," Mani said.

"I don't know what were the pressures that compelled Pakistan and Bangladesh to not support Howard's nomination and instead go along with India and reject the nomination," Mani said.

The former ICC President said he was not aware of what had happened in the background but hoped Pakistan would get something constructive out of their decision to not support Howard.

"Pakistan has backed India in this issue so I hope they know what they are doing because every country looks after its own benefits," he said.